Antelope Island
is the largest island located in the Great Salt Lake. It is
accessed by a seven mile causeway leading from Syracuse, UT.
From Salt Lake City, drive North on I-15, get off at the
Syracuse exit and follow the signs due West to the beginning of
the causeway.
There is a fee
of eight dollars per vehicle or four dollars for bicyclists and
walk-ins. Antelope Island a good place to find some solitude
just miles from the suburban life. Given the closeness of the
island to the Salt Lake valley it really is surprising how few
people are there.
There are a
number of activities available on Antelope Island. A popular
activity with the children is a tour of the Fielding Garr Ranch.
This ranch was the longest
continually occupied homestead in the state of Utah. Brigham
Young appointed Fielding Garr to manage the herds of cattle
tithed to the LDS church. In 1848
Fielding built a small log
cabin on the island. This expanded cabin/ranch was
occupied until 1981 when the island became a state park. The
ranch remains today an interactive glimpse into conditions back
in homesteading days.
There are many
hiking/biking trails. The White Rock Loop is a 7.5 mile loop
that also accesses the Elephant Head Trail and Split Rock Loop.
All of these trails offer challenging terrain and spectacular
scenery. Don’t be surprised if you see one of the island’s
600 bison. The Frary Peak Trail reaches
the highest point on the island. This trail climbs to a high
point of 6,596 feet, this vantage point provides some of the
best views on the island.
If you haven’t
spotted one of the bison while driving or hiking through the
park don’t fret, there are always
some hanging out near the park office/pens. Here you will find
some of these large creatures up close and personal. Antelope
Island is home to the third largest publically owned herd of
buffalo. Once a year the park service rounds up these beasts in
a spectacle that rivals an old west cattle drive. The bison are
rounded up, tagged and inoculated, the public is welcome to come
watch.
The Bridger Bay
campground is located on the Northwest corner of the island,
this lends itself to some of the best sunset opportunities. The
sun setting across
the lake is a visual sensory event not
to be missed. There are 26 sites available, bring your own shade
as not much is to be found. There are also five group sites
available in White Rock Bay. The group sites all have their own
bathroom and shaded picnic area.
Be sure and stop
by the Buffalo Point café and try one of their buffalo burgers.
You might want to get it to go though, the deck can at times be
overwhelmed by wasps. I’d recommend getting it to go and
hiking up the Buffalo Point trail a bit for a scenic lunch.
Nearby Area:
Willard Bay
Farmington Canyon
South Fork
Resources
Campgrounds
Bridger
Bay
Shopping
Books
| |
Utah
Atlas and Gazetteer
by DeLorme (Editor)
Book Description
Rely on the Utah Atlas & Gazetteer for the utmost in
trip planning and
backcountry access. Contains
topographic maps with unbeatable
detail, plus gazetteer
information on great places to go and things to do.
Scale equals 1:250,000 or 1"=4 miles. Contour Interval is
300'. Each
page
covers 37 miles... Read
more |
Utah's National Parks: Hiking, Camping, and Vacationing in Utah's Canyon Country: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands
Utah
Camping: The Complete Guide to more than 400 Campgrounds
(Foghorn Outdoors)
Camping Utah (Camping)
Utah Camping Guide : The essential handbook for
...
Backcountry
Adventures: Utah: The Ultimate Guide to the Utah Backcountry for Anyone
With a Sport Utility Vehicle
Backcountry
Moab - Where The Tours Don't Go
Exploring
Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
Hiking
and Exploring Utah's San Rafael Swell
Utah
Underground: Guide to Real Fun
Travel
Smart: Utah
Hidden
Salt Lake City and Beyond: Including Park City, Deer Valley,
Alta and Snowbird
Get the 2005 Trailer Life Directory for 50% off the cover!
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6875 South Kiesta, West Jordan, UT 84084